EPA extends comment periods for rules on trichloroethylene

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency is extending the comment periods for two proposed rules on the toxic chemical trichloroethylene.

One proposed rule would ban use of TCE as an aerosol degreaser and for spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities. The comment period for the rule has been pushed back to March 16 from Feb. 14, according to a notice published in the Feb. 15 Federal Register.

A second proposed rule would ban use of TCE as a commercial vapor degreaser. That comment period has been moved to April 19 from March 20.

Both rules would prohibit manufacture (including import), processing and commercial distribution of TCE for certain uses. The rules also would require manufacturers, processors and distributors to inform retailers and others in the supply chain about the ban.

In 2014, EPA determined that TCE may cause cancer, developmental and neurotoxicological effects, and toxicity to the liver, among other adverse health effects.

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